Jeopardy Answer: Because It’s There*

When I was young, my parents directed a small church camp every summer in the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. After we moved to Kansas when I was seven, most of our family vacations took us to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (and New Mexico). We took family trips and were individual campers at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp on the back of Pike's Peak and often based our trips around Colorado Springs (my dad, brother, and I even hiked Pike’s Peak on two occasions when we were in better shape), but we’ve been to other places as well.

One of the last trips we took all together, about 18-19 years ago, was to Ouray (you-ray or your-ray). I still have great memories of it. Ouray is north of Durango on the stretch of the San Juan Skyway known as the Million Dollar Highway. We stopped at the Great Sand Dunes on the way, took a day trip to the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, lounged in the city’s hot springs pool, and did lots of hiking. The hike I remember most vividly was on the Horsethief Trail. At the top you are on this thin little ridge with severe drops on either side and awesome vistas all around. I’ve done a bit of research the last couple of days and found that spot is called The Bridge of Heaven.

We’re all getting back together as a family to re-experience that trip, this Thursday through the following Friday. In the interest of bragging and making you jealous, here are some links:

Ouray's Website: Ouray has been a special destination of world travelers for more than 100 years. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley at 7,792 feet and surrounded on three sides with 13,000 foot snowcapped peaks - Ouray has been eloquently nicknamed the "Switzerland of America." . . .

Hiking in Ouray: Welcome to Ouray - the Alpine Hiking Capital of the US! You may find the terrain in the Ouray area to be steeper than in most other areas, so hiking time for various distances may be different than you are accustomed to. From the short stroll up Cascade Falls to the challenge of the Horsethief/Bear Creek Loop Trail, the region has something for everyone! . . .

Hiking the Horsethief Trail (with a few pictures)

The Bridge of Heaven (good, succinct description and pictures)

Awesome Professional Photos of the Horsethief Trail and Bridge of Heaven area. A couple more by the same guy.

More detailed but non-professional photojournal of the hike.



Watch to the end of this one for scenes of the two big waterfalls in the area, too:



-----

*And the question is?